Summary

When Microsoft developed Windows Server 2003, the need arose for a common framework to tie in the various applications and frameworks. The success of Active Directory with Windows 2000 supplied Microsoft with the medium into that common framework. Along with the addition of new capabilities such as domain rename and other enhancements, Active Directory builds on its "road worthiness" and the real-world experience it gained with Windows 2000 to bring a robust, secure environment for networking services and functionality.